Privacy Policy
Last updated: 1 September 2026
1. Protecting Your Privacy
Bridging Nations is committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal data responsibly, transparently and securely.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose and protect personal data when you visit https://bridgingnations.world/, contact us, subscribe to our communications, make a donation, participate in our programs or events, or otherwise interact with Bridging Nations.
This Privacy Policy is primarily governed by the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and its implementing regulations. Where applicable, we also comply with other relevant data-protection laws, including the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
2. Who We Are
The data controller responsible for the processing of personal data described in this Privacy Policy is:
Bridging Nations Stiftung / Bridging Nations Foundation
c/o Daniel Gabrieli, Wenger Plattner
Seestrasse 39
8700 Küsnacht ZH
Switzerland
UID: CHE-346.574.879
Website: https://bridgingnations.world/
Bridging Nations is a Swiss non-profit foundation dedicated to fostering intercultural understanding, inclusivity, sustainable development, artistic collaboration and cultural diplomacy.
For questions concerning this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal data, please use the Contact Form available on our website and select Privacy / Data Protection where this option is available.
3. Personal Data We May Collect
The personal data we collect depends on how you interact with Bridging Nations and our website.
We may collect the following categories of information.
Information you provide directly
This may include:
your name;
telephone number;
postal address;
country and city;
organisation, institution or professional affiliation;
website or social-media information;
information submitted through contact, collaboration, volunteer, registration or other forms;
information relating to a proposed collaboration or project;
information submitted when registering for or participating in an event or program;
newsletter subscription information;
donation information;
correspondence and other communications with Bridging Nations;
any other information you voluntarily provide to us.
Where an email address is required for a specific service, such as a newsletter subscription, donation receipt, registration or response to an inquiry, it may also be collected.
Technical and usage information
When you access our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
IP address;
browser type and version;
device type and operating system;
date and time of access;
pages visited;
referring website or source;
approximate geographic information derived from an IP address;
website interaction and performance data;
server and security logs;
cookie identifiers and similar technical information.
We seek to collect only the personal data that is reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
4. Contact Forms, Inquiries and Collaboration Requests
When you contact Bridging Nations or submit information through a website form, we process the information you provide in order to:
respond to your inquiry;
communicate with you;
evaluate potential collaborations;
coordinate projects, programs or events;
process volunteer or participation requests;
maintain appropriate administrative records;
protect the Foundation’s legitimate interests and operations.
Depending on the relevant form, this information may include your name, organisation, contact details, country, city, website or social-media profile, proposed type of collaboration, geographic areas or communities involved, proposed timeframe and information contained in your message.
Please do not submit confidential or sensitive personal data through a general contact form unless it is necessary and specifically requested.
5. Donations and Payment Processing
When you make a donation to Bridging Nations, we may process information necessary to receive, administer and document the donation.
This may include:
your name;
contact details;
billing or postal address, where required;
donation amount and currency;
date and status of the transaction;
transaction reference;
information required to issue a donation receipt;
information concerning recurring donations, where applicable;
technical and security information associated with the transaction.
Payments are processed through third-party payment service providers made available on our website, such as Stripe and, where offered, other payment providers.
Payment-card details are generally transmitted directly to the relevant payment provider and are not stored by Bridging Nations on its own website servers.
The payment provider processes payment information in accordance with its own contractual terms and privacy policy.
We may retain information concerning donations where necessary for accounting, audit, legal, regulatory and tax purposes. Where Swiss accounting law requires relevant accounting records to be retained, such information may normally be retained for ten years.
6. Donation Receipts and Transactional Communications
If you make a donation or carry out another transaction with Bridging Nations, we may use your contact details to send:
payment confirmations;
donation receipts;
administrative communications;
information concerning recurring donations;
other messages necessary to administer the transaction.
These communications are operational rather than promotional in nature.
We may use third-party email and technology providers to deliver these communications.
7. Newsletter and Other Communications
If you subscribe to our newsletter or expressly request updates, we may process your contact details to send you information about:
Bridging Nations initiatives;
exhibitions;
events;
programs;
projects;
publications;
fundraising activities;
other news concerning the Foundation.
Where consent is required by applicable law, we send promotional electronic communications on the basis of your consent.
You may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe mechanism contained in the relevant communication.
You may also submit an unsubscribe or privacy request through the Contact Form on our website.
Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.
We may use external service providers to manage mailing lists and deliver electronic communications. Such providers process personal data on our behalf or, where applicable, under their own privacy terms.
8. Programs, Events and Participation
Bridging Nations organises and supports cultural, artistic, educational and inclusive programs and events internationally.
When you apply for, register for, participate in or collaborate on one of these activities, we may process information necessary to:
organise the program or event;
communicate with participants;
coordinate logistics;
manage partnerships;
administer participation;
provide accessibility arrangements;
maintain appropriate project and administrative records;
document and communicate the activities of the Foundation.
Where appropriate, separate terms, consent forms, participation agreements, image releases or additional privacy information may apply to particular programs or events.
9. Children and Young Participants
Some Bridging Nations programs involve children and young people.
We recognise that personal data relating to minors requires particular care.
Where we collect personal data concerning a child in connection with a program, event, application, photograph, video or other activity, we seek to ensure that the information is processed appropriately and that parental, guardian or other legally required authorisation is obtained where necessary.
We do not knowingly invite children to provide personal information independently through the general website where parental or guardian authorisation would be required.
Parents or legal guardians who have questions concerning personal data relating to a child may contact us through the Contact Form on our website and select Privacy / Data Protection where available.
10. Sensitive Personal Data and Accessibility Information
Because Bridging Nations promotes inclusive participation, some programs may involve participants with disabilities or particular accessibility requirements.
In limited circumstances, a participant, parent, guardian or authorised representative may provide information relating to accessibility, disability, health requirements or other sensitive matters where this is necessary for participation in a program or event.
We seek to collect only information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose and to restrict access to persons who need the information for legitimate organisational purposes.
Where consent or another specific legal basis is required for the processing of sensitive personal data, we will seek the appropriate authorisation.
Please do not submit medical or other sensitive personal information through general website forms unless specifically requested by Bridging Nations.
11. Photographs, Videos and Media
Bridging Nations’ activities frequently involve artistic, cultural and public events.
Photographs, audio recordings and videos may be produced in connection with our programs and events for purposes including:
documenting Foundation activities;
reporting on programs and projects;
communicating our charitable mission;
publications;
our website;
social media;
presentations;
educational and institutional communications;
fundraising and public awareness.
Where consent, parental authorisation, contractual permission or another legal basis is required for identifiable individuals, particularly children or vulnerable participants, Bridging Nations seeks to obtain the appropriate permission.
Specific event notices, participant agreements or image-release forms may supplement this Privacy Policy.
12. Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies.
Cookies are small files or pieces of information stored on or accessed through your device when you visit a website.
We may use different categories of cookies.
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are required for the operation, security or essential functionality of the website and may include cookies used for:
website security;
fraud prevention;
session management;
donation functionality;
form operation;
cookie-preference management.
Preference and functionality cookies
These cookies may remember choices you make and provide enhanced website functionality.
Analytics cookies
Where enabled, analytics technologies may help us understand how visitors use our website, for example which pages are visited and how the website performs.
Third-party and embedded-content technologies
Embedded videos, social-media content and other external services may use cookies or similar technologies.
Where required by applicable law, non-essential cookies and similar tracking technologies will not be activated until you have been given an appropriate opportunity to make a choice.
You may be offered options such as:
Accept All;
Reject Non-Essential Cookies; and
Manage Preferences.
You may also configure your browser to restrict or delete cookies. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
Your cookie preferences can be changed through the website’s cookie-management mechanism where available.
13. Analytics
We may use analytics tools to understand how our website is accessed and used and to improve its functionality, content, security and performance.
Depending on the analytics service configured on the website, information processed may include:
IP address;
device and browser information;
pages visited;
approximate location;
referral source;
date and time of access;
interactions with the website.
Where required, analytics technologies will be subject to the choices you make through our cookie-management system.
We seek, where reasonably possible, to limit the amount of personal information used for analytics purposes.
14. Embedded Content and External Platforms
Our website may contain or display content provided by third parties, including:
YouTube or other video platforms;
Instagram;
Facebook;
LinkedIn;
other social-media platforms;
maps or multimedia services;
externally hosted documents or interactive content.
When third-party content is embedded directly into a webpage, the relevant provider may receive technical information about your visit, including your IP address, device information and information concerning your interaction with the embedded content.
Where required by applicable law, third-party embedded content that involves non-essential tracking may be blocked until the appropriate cookie or privacy preference has been selected.
If you click a link that takes you to a third-party website or platform, your subsequent interaction with that service is governed by the privacy practices of the relevant third party.
Bridging Nations does not control the independent privacy practices of third-party websites.
15. Website Hosting, Security and Technical Service Providers
We rely on external providers to operate and maintain our website and digital infrastructure.
These may include providers of:
website hosting;
domain and infrastructure services;
WordPress technology and plugins;
website development and maintenance;
cloud storage;
email services;
cybersecurity;
spam prevention;
backup services;
analytics;
payment processing;
donation management;
communication services.
These providers may process personal data where necessary to provide their services.
Where a provider processes personal data on behalf of Bridging Nations, we seek to use appropriate contractual, technical and organisational arrangements according to the nature of the service and the applicable legal requirements.
16. How We Use Personal Data
We may process personal data for the following purposes:
operating and maintaining our website;
responding to inquiries;
managing communications;
receiving and administering donations;
issuing donation receipts;
processing recurring donations;
managing subscriptions and requested communications;
organising events and programs;
administering applications, collaborations and volunteer activities;
maintaining relationships with donors, participants, artists, institutions and partners;
providing appropriate accessibility arrangements;
documenting our charitable activities;
improving our website and services;
analysing website performance and usage;
maintaining information security;
detecting spam, fraud, misuse or other security threats;
maintaining accounting and administrative records;
meeting legal, regulatory, audit and tax requirements;
establishing, exercising or defending legal claims;
fulfilling the charitable purposes and legitimate activities of the Foundation.
We do not sell personal data.
17. Legal Bases Where the GDPR Applies
Swiss data-protection law does not structure all processing around the same legal-basis system as the GDPR.
Where the GDPR applies to a particular processing activity, Bridging Nations may process personal data on one or more of the following legal bases.
Consent
Where you have given consent to a specific use of your personal data, for example for certain electronic communications or where consent is required for particular cookies or sensitive information.
Performance of a contract or steps taken at your request
Where processing is necessary to administer a donation, registration, collaboration, participation arrangement or another relationship with you.
Compliance with a legal obligation
Where processing is necessary to comply with accounting, tax, regulatory or other legal requirements.
Legitimate interests
Where processing is necessary for the legitimate activities of Bridging Nations or another party and those interests are not overridden by your fundamental rights and interests.
These legitimate interests may include:
operating a secure and effective website;
administering the Foundation;
responding to communications;
protecting against fraud and misuse;
maintaining relationships with donors, partners and participants;
documenting and promoting the Foundation’s charitable activities;
improving our services and programs.
Where sensitive categories of personal data are processed and the GDPR applies, we rely on an additional condition permitted under applicable law, such as explicit consent where required.
18. Disclosure of Personal Data
We may disclose personal data where reasonably necessary to the following categories of recipients:
website hosting and technical service providers;
website developers and administrators;
payment processors;
donation-management providers;
banks and financial institutions;
accounting and audit providers;
email and communication service providers;
analytics and security providers;
cloud and information-technology providers;
professional advisers, including lawyers;
event, project and institutional partners where necessary;
public authorities, regulators or courts where legally required;
other service providers acting for or supporting Bridging Nations.
We seek to disclose only the information reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.
We do not sell, rent or trade personal data to third parties for their independent marketing purposes.
19. International Data Transfers
Bridging Nations is based in Switzerland but operates internationally and uses service providers that may process information in other countries.
Personal data may therefore be processed or stored outside Switzerland, including in countries in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries in which our technology, payment, communication or project partners operate.
Data-protection laws in some countries may not provide the same level of protection as Swiss law.
Where personal data is transferred to a country that does not provide an adequate level of data protection under applicable Swiss law, we seek to rely on an appropriate legal safeguard where required.
Such safeguards may include:
recognised contractual safeguards;
standard contractual clauses;
legally recognised certification or transfer mechanisms;
another exception or mechanism permitted by applicable law.
Where the GDPR applies, appropriate safeguards required under the GDPR are used where necessary.
Certain transfers may also occur where they are necessary for the performance of an agreement, expressly consented to, required for legal proceedings or otherwise permitted by applicable law.
20. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected and for any additional period required by applicable legal, accounting, audit or regulatory requirements.
Retention periods therefore vary depending on the nature of the information.
For example:
general inquiries: for the period reasonably required to handle the inquiry and related administration;
newsletter information: until you unsubscribe or the information is otherwise no longer required, subject to necessary suppression records;
program and event information: for the period required to administer and document the relevant activity and fulfil legitimate archival or legal requirements;
donation and accounting records: generally for the period required under applicable Swiss accounting and tax requirements, which may be ten years;
contractual or collaboration records: for the duration of the relationship and any applicable legal limitation or record-keeping period;
security and technical logs: for a limited period appropriate to security, troubleshooting and fraud-prevention purposes;
consent records: for as long as reasonably necessary to demonstrate the consent or permission provided.
Personal data may be retained for longer where necessary in connection with a legal claim, investigation, legal requirement or overriding legitimate interest.
Where information is no longer required, we seek to delete, anonymise or otherwise appropriately dispose of it.
21. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal data against:
unauthorised access;
accidental loss;
misuse;
alteration;
destruction;
unauthorised disclosure.
These measures may include, depending on the circumstances:
access controls;
secure hosting;
encryption technologies;
backups;
account security;
software updates;
security monitoring;
restricted administrative access;
contractual safeguards with service providers.
No internet transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Accordingly, while we take reasonable steps to protect personal data, absolute security cannot be guaranteed.
22. Your Data-Protection Rights
Depending on the applicable law and the circumstances, you may have rights regarding personal data relating to you.
These may include the right to:
obtain information about whether we process your personal data;
request access to personal data we hold about you;
request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data;
request deletion of personal data where applicable;
object to certain processing;
request restriction of processing where applicable;
withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent;
receive certain personal data in a portable format where applicable;
request further information concerning international data transfers;
exercise other rights available under applicable data-protection law.
These rights are subject to applicable legal conditions, limitations and exceptions.
For example, Bridging Nations may be required to retain particular information for accounting, legal or regulatory reasons even where deletion is requested.
To exercise your rights, please use the Contact Form on our website and select Privacy / Data Protection where available.
We may need to take reasonable steps to verify your identity before responding to a request.
23. Complaints
If you have concerns regarding our processing of your personal data, we encourage you to contact us first through the Contact Form on our website and select Privacy / Data Protection where available.
You may also have the right to contact the competent data-protection authority.
In Switzerland, the supervisory authority is the:
Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC)
Where the GDPR applies, you may also have the right to lodge a complaint with a competent data-protection supervisory authority in the European Union or European Economic Area.
24. Automated Decision-Making
Bridging Nations does not currently use the website to make decisions concerning individuals that produce legal or similarly significant effects based solely on automated processing.
If this changes, we will provide the information required under applicable data-protection law.
25. Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to websites operated by third parties.
Bridging Nations is not responsible for the content, security or privacy practices of independent third-party websites.
We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any external service before providing personal information to it.
26. Personal Data Concerning Other People
If you provide Bridging Nations with personal data concerning another person, you should ensure that you are authorised to do so and, where required, that the individual has been appropriately informed about the disclosure and processing of their personal data.
Additional requirements may apply where information concerns a child, a person requiring representation or sensitive personal data.
27. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:
changes to our website or services;
new programs or technologies;
changes in our service providers;
changes in our data-processing activities;
changes in applicable law or regulatory guidance.
The date of the latest revision will be displayed at the beginning of this Privacy Policy.
Where appropriate, we may provide additional notice of material changes.
We recommend reviewing this Privacy Policy periodically.
28. Contact
For questions, requests or concerns concerning this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal data, please contact:
Bridging Nations Stiftung / Bridging Nations Foundation
c/o Daniel Gabrieli, Wenger Plattner
Seestrasse 39
8700 Küsnacht ZH
Switzerland
UID: CHE-346.574.879
Website: https://bridgingnations.world/
Privacy and data-protection requests: please use the Contact Form available on our website and select Privacy / Data Protection where available.